Structural Chemistry of Outer Dense Fibers of Rat Sperm1

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Abstract
Rat sperm outer dense fibers (ODF) have been studied by several electron microscopic techniques to determine fine structural features of the ODF cortex and medulla. Cross sections of Triton X-100 demembranated flagella, fixed in the presence of ruthenium red, reveal a well defined ODF cortex which appears to be composed of a single lamina of 6-7 nm diameter globular particles, whereas the medulla appears electron dense with no obvious substructure. Surface replicas and positively or negatively stained whole mount preparations reveal a crossbanding pattern with a 40 nm major period repeat that extends obliquely over the outer dense fiber surface. These periodicities appear to be confined to the outer dense fiber cortex.